Titles.

[Jeff]

I was sitting here in the Walmart parking lot thinking while waiting for Tammy to come out. Thinking for me can be a strange and unpredictable activity, but I enjoy it.

Anyhow...

I was thinking, I was the head sawyer in two commercial mills spanning over 25 years. I have been building websites now since 1997, but when asked or prompted to express what I do, I always say I used to be a head sawyer. I wonder why?

[Bruno of NH]

You have saw dust in you blood
I think it's a hard thing to remove

[fishpharmer]

I used to be a fish farmer.  It's a part of our past that we are proud about and it helps define who we are today as well as our experiences.  That's my 2 cents. 

[Andries]

Mostly, when we meet people, we try to get to easily understood territory.
Titles generally do that.
'Head Sawyer' fits the bill.
'Parking Lot Philosopher' not so much help.

[Kbeitz]

Your saw butts have yet to all turn into nano butts.

[sandhills]

I was sitting in a Casey's parking lot the other night about midnight waiting to pick up my daughter, I did know the gal well (small town) that was closing that night so I just went in and told her I was the creeper outside in the parking lot with the lights on  :D.

[drobertson]

Tilted never impressed me, got my attention, but then working with these titled folks for a period has deminished my opinion, you Jeff on the other hand, well sir, if you sawed like you develop forums and web pages, well sir I'd say you were a good head sawyer,  impressive ,

[Furu]

Based upon myself and others that I know that have similar histories my response is as follows. 
Does not make it true for everyone by any stretch of the imagination.

Most folks describe themselves and their background as they do for the following reasons.

1.)  The way you wish others to view you.
      A.)  The job that you have the most pride in what you have done or what you are currently doing.
      B.)  The job that you feel gives you higher status in the group involved in the discussion that you are currently involved in.

2.) An attempt to prevent those you are discussing the subject with from perceiving you in a way that is different than  you wish them to perceive you.
     A.)  Your job was pretty special and cool but mentioning it in the "wrong" circles can appear to be braggadocios or as if you are lording yourself over those to whom you are discussing the subject. You do not want to seem to be bragging about your work history/background
     B.)  You are trying to downplay that job as it will bring up questions in the group/individuals that you do not want to have to have.
     C.)  You don't want others to perceive that you think of yourself as being special or better than the group in the discussion.

Yes the two main headers and subheaders above can at times be in conflict with each other but what the heck we are humans and we are often conflicted in our motivations.

[WV Sawmiller]

   I worked overseas a long time and a lot of our other country nationals would gladly take a pay cut to get a fancy title. We Americans just wanted the pay and did not much care what our title was. We had a driver one time who was going home to Egypt for his daughter's wedding and we made him up a bunch of business cards listing him as our "Transportation Director". He did - he directed our one vehicle everywhere it went. I bet he is still giving out those cards.

[luvmexfood]

I was sitting here in the Walmart parking lot thinking while waiting for Tammy to come out. Thinking for me can be a strange and unpredictable activity, but I enjoy it.

Anyhow...

I was thinking, I was the head sawyer in two commercial mills spanning over 25 years. I have been building websites now since 1997, but when asked or prompted to express what I do, I always say I used to be a head sawyer. I wonder why?

Jeff. Sounds like you and I shop in the same way when with your spouse. Only sometimes I do go in and find a bench to set down on.  People watch. Course I am currently between spouses. .

[Jeff]

We shop in Mt. Pleasant mostly, a college town. Central Michigan University. Outside is the best place to people watch. Especially in the heat of the summer.

[terrifictimbersllc]

what about one from this selection...

Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Bottle Washer.

[Brad_bb]

It depends on how much of your identity comes from what you do for a living.  My passions/hobbies define me as much as anything else.  To limit yourself to just your profession is, well, limiting.

[Jeff]

what about one from this selection...

Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Bottle Washer.

Nobody cares about my being a midget Dr. No one has ever asked me about it.

[gspren]

  My current job, RETIRED, is the best job I ever had. Prior to retiring I had at least 6 Titles, machinist, tool maker, model maker, engineering technician, supervisory engineering technician, and Chief Experimental Fabrication. The machinist title wasn't used for the past 30+ years but when someone new asks what I did I always start out saying machinist, then later depending on their back ground I might elaborate.

[Magicman]

My best and most rewarding titles were when I had jobs that produced a product.  Foreman, Supervisor, and Manager are titles that mean that you are on the end of the dog that gets bitten.

[Roxie]

what about one from this selection...

Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Bottle Washer.

Nobody cares about my being a midget Dr. No one has ever asked me about it.

I did! 

[Den Socling]

I have been a production manager and a plant engineer but when I'm asked, I'm just a business owner.

[Shotgun]

what about one from this selection...

Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Bottle Washer.

Nobody cares about my being a midget Dr. No one has ever asked me about it.

I did! 

I did as well.

[Jeff]

Okay 2 of ya! 

[Dave Shepard]

I was afraid to.

[Gearbox]

The title I like best is DAD or GRANDPA .

[Ox]

Tell me more about being a midget dr.?

[landscraper]

When people ask me what I do, I tell them I'm a ditch digger, which in fact I am.  No need to gild the lily (old saying) with a fancy title, it's already a very cool job.  It's just disguised as menial labor :D

[Jeff]

Tell me more about being a midget dr.?

It's simple. I have very little patience. ;)